Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Hopefully, you were able to spend quality time with a significant other or fill up on yummy chocolates and pink treats– but now, BWB would like to shift gears from boy-talk to girl-talk.

During this amorous month, we love and honor empowered women who embody a glass-shattering femininity and inspire BWB on a daily basis. We admire the women who are strong yet vulnerable, relentless yet tender, and open-minded yet intentional. These ladies are realizing and tapping into their feminine power while striving to make a difference in their own unique ways. Here at BWB, we will always be proud to throw (expectations out the window) like a girl, to fight (for equality and fair treatment) like a girl, and to run (towards our dreams and goals) like a girl.

Chloe Kim

Photo Credits: Kirill Kudryavstev, AFP/Getty Images

As the youngest female snowboarder in history to win a gold medal, Chloe Kim is an inspiration to girls and women alike. On the one hand, she’s already been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Gone are the days when sports were just for boys, as we enter a new era of “strong is sexy.” On the other hand, she has her own Barbie doll replica as part of their “Inspiring Women” series. In addition to her incredible accomplishments, Kim is a second generation Asian-American whose parents emigrated from South Korea in pursuit of the widely coveted American Dream. There is a noticeable lack of Asian representation in American entertainment and athletic industries, as well as a passive stigmatization associated with Asian culture, but bright and ambitious people like Kim are slowly flipping the script.

Stella McCartney

Photo Credits: Mary McCartney

You may know her primarily as Paul McCartney’s daughter, but you should know her as the pioneering designer who is redefining high-end fashion with cruelty-free, circular solutions. McCartney identifies the fashion industry as one of the leading contributors to global environmental damage. That being said, her eponymous brand is relentlessly committed to maintaining both beauty and sustainability through its entirely vegetarian line of luxury fashion goods, as well as through collaborations with NGOs, brands and other industry organizations. On top of all that, she bought back Kering’s 50-percent stake in the brand and claimed full ownership of the company in 2018. If that isn’t girl power, I don’t know what is.

Rosemarie Aquilina

Photo Credits: Paul Sancya/AP

Rosemarie Aquilina isn’t your ordinary judge. Sporting bright red streaks in her ebony haircut, Aquilina is the American hero who convicted serial child molester Larry Nassar and sentenced the former USA Gymnastics national team doctor to 175 years in prison. While her hair may be one thing to set her apart from most other judges, it is her victim-centered approach that gets her the most attention. During Nassar’s trial, Aquilina gave 156 girls and women a voice. While those who hold double standards for carrying out the justice system criticized her approach, Aquilina recognized that this wasn’t just a day job and that it was her duty to help these girls and women rise up from victims to survivors. Her unwavering courage, piercing clarity, and almost maternal-like protection of other women perfectly encapsulate the female soul.

Tiffany Haddish

Photo Credits: Elton Anderson Jr.

Comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish makes a living by bringing people joy, which is almost ironic considering her heartbreakingly challenging past. At age nine, Haddish’s stepfather tampered with the brakes in her mom’s car in an attempt to harm the family; fortunately, the kids decided to stay at home that day. Unfortunately, the tragic accident gave Haddish’s mother severe brain damage and most likely triggered her schizophrenia. Nine-year old Haddish then became the primary caregiver of herself and her four siblings. Going on to deal with many more adversities, including bullying, sexual assault and homelessness, Haddish somehow managed to emerge on the other side with a heart determined to conquer the world through positivity, exuberance and laughter. Since then, she has written a book, become the first black female comedian to host SNL, and been deemed “the funniest person alive right now” by Vanity Fair. She is, without a doubt, ready.

Meghan Markle

Photo Credits: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

HRH has won over the hearts of many Americans through her role as Rachel Zane in the beloved TV series, Suits, but now it’s time for her to win over the hearts of the Brits. This shouldn’t be too difficult, considering Markle has been embodying the charitable and humanitarian traits of a true royal since she was literally 11 years old, when she wrote letters to Hillary Clinton, Linda Ellerbee and Gloria Allred about a sexist commercial for a dish soap. In response to Markle’s letter, P&G swapped out the word “women” to “people [all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans].” Years later, Markle continues to advocate for equality and human rights through her roles as global ambassador for World Vision, advocate for UN Women, and counselor for One Young World. This is the kind of princess (in this case, duchess) our daughters should aspire to be.

Alicia Zhang

Originally from Los Angeles, Alicia lived in Shanghai for 11 years before moving back to the states to attend the University of Miami, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and minors in art and philosophy. Currently residing in New York City, Alicia applies her knowledge of strategic communication and design in her career. She enjoys painting, rugby, exploring, and more often than not, you’ll find her petting someone’s dog.

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We will always be proud to throw (expectations out the window) like a girl, to fight (for equality and fair treatment) like a girl, and to run (towards our dreams and goals) like a girl.